Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

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Pallbearers load the casket into the hearse during the funeral of 44-year-old soccer referee John Bieniewicz on Thursday, July 10, 2014, at the Hosanna-Tabor Lutheran Church in Redford. Bieniewicz died after being punched during the game. / Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press

Family members watch as the hearse prepares to leave following the funeral of 44-year-old soccer referee John Bieniewicz on Thursday, July 10, 2014, at the Hosanna-Tabor Lutheran Church in Redford. / Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press

John Bieniewicz, a married father of two children, died on July 1, 2014, two days after he was knocked unconscious while referring an adult soccer game in Livonia. / Family photo

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John Bieniewicz’s two young sons slowly escorted their father’s casket to the front of the church Thursday, and then again later, helping place it in a hearse.

His family and friends filled the pews at Hosanna-Tabor Lutheran Church in Redford Township and remembered the 44-year-old from Westland as a man of great generosity who was patient, had a caring heart and helped others.

Bieniewicz, who died after being punched while refereeing a soccer game, had many titles. He was a husband, father of a 9 and 13-year old, son, brother, employee, coach and referee, the Rev. Paul Undlin told hundreds of mourners, many with tears in their eyes.

“This is the result of sin,” he said. “We should not have to be here.”

Bieniewicz died on July 1, two days after he was knocked unconscious during an adult soccer game in Livonia.

Saad’s attorney, Ali Hammoud, said his client is “extremely remorseful” and has been crying since the incident.

Authorities said Saad was about to be ejected from a soccer game, became upset and punched Bieniewicz.

Saad tilted his head down during much of the hearing Thursday and repeatedly answered “yes” to questions District Court Judge Kathleen McCann asked to make sure he understood his rights. She then entered a plea of not guilty in the case.

Saad is being held in the Wayne County Jail on a $1-million cash/surety bond. His attorney asked for a lower bond, describing Saad as the father of two little girls, the owner of an area auto repair business and a man with no felony record.

He acknowledged that Saad fled the scene after the incident, adding he did so because he was afraid the situation at the soccer field would escalate. Saad turned himself in the next morning and has turned over his passport and green card, Hammoud said.

“We all know this is a tragic and unfortunate situation,” he said. “It’s not your typical homicide.”

Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Raj Prasad asked for the bond to remain at $1 million, saying Saad fled after the incident, has international contacts and recently was out of the country for a year.

He said Saad has conflicting date-of-birth information among his passport, green card and driver’s license, and he faces a potential sentence of up to life in prison if convicted in Bieniewicz’s death.

“Right now, I think the bond is appropriate,” McCann said.

Some of Saad’s friends and family members were in the courtroom to support him. A preliminary examination in the case is scheduled for July 30.

Hammoud declined to comment on what course the defense will take in this case, but said he is awaiting additional evidence, including the medical examiner’s report.

“Our hearts and our prayers are with the family,” he said.

The death stunned many in the soccer community, many of whom attended Bieniewicz’s funeral, some wearing referee shirts and others black armbands. People who had never met Bieniewicz sat with those who had known him and his family for decades.

Christie Swickard, 40, of Farmington Hills said the violent act should never have occurred.

“I just hope that people can learn from this,” she said. “In whatever sport they’re involved in, in whatever they’re doing in the sport, just always think before they act.”